Local Attractions (Knutsford)

Local attractions or places to visit in Knutsford include the Heritage Centre, Brook Street Chapel and Heritage Site (the Unitarian Church & Schoolroom), Tatton Park, the Penny Farthing Museum and The Gauntlet, Eagle & Vulture Park adjacent to Fryers Garden Centre on Manchester Road. Visitors to the town can also follow the Town Council’s ‘Blue Plaque Scheme’.

Knutsford Heritage Centre

The Knutsford Heritage Centre is set in the centre of the town, in a reconstructed 17th century timber framed building off King Street.

Visitor’s find a lot to explore with three galleries over two buildings, two beautifully maintained gardens and a well-stocked gift shop. There is also an exciting, ever changing exhibition programme, demonstrations, walks, talks and activities.

The Heritage Centre is also the home of the Knutsford Millennium Tapestry. Set in three distinct panels. This remarkable tapestry is more than 13 metres long and was created by over 3,000 local residents to celebrate Knutsford in the millennium year.

The centre is ideal for those wishing to call in and take a peek or browse at a more leisurely place. Local attractions.

Brook Street Heritage Site

A Grade I listed building and one of the oldest of its type, it is believed that this chapel was built in 1693 although other sources say 1689. Elizabeth Gaskell was a member of the congregation and taught in the Sunday School. She and her husband are buried in the Chapel grounds.

The chapel enjoys many visitors from all around the world to visit Elizabeth Gaskell’s grave and her place of worship, yet many local people are unaware of such a hidden gem in their own community.

The Chapel hall was built later, in 1885 for the purpose of educating the common man, These days the building is used for social activities and in two rooms housing a heritage site. The first room is dedicated to Elizabeth Gaskell and concentrates on her early life in Knutsford, her association with other Cheshire homes i.e. Tatton Park, Tabley House and Styal Mill. The room depicts Victorian life with the many artefacts on display.

The second room is dedicated to the Chapel’s history together with the history of Unitarianism. Local attractions.

The Heritage Centre can also accommodate the opening on request of individuals and groups. To arrange this call Beulah Cornes on 01565 632673 or Mary Horne on 01565 651808.

Gauntlet Birds of Prey

The Gauntlet, Eagle & Vulture park is the largest bird of prey park in the Northwest of England. With over 120 birds of prey, ranging from the smallest owls to the worlds largest eagle and Vultures it really is a haven for animal lovers. Gauntlet has two daily shows at 12.30 and 3.00pm during the months March-October and during the winter months weekends only. As well as two daily displays they have vulture feeding and meet & greet.

There is a large children’s play area with plenty of room for picnics. On the same site as Fryers Garden Centre and you can leave at anytime and come back for the displays. For those wishing to get closer the park holds bird of prey experiences which are run 7 days a week throughout the year. This gives people the opportunity to handle and fly the birds. Local attractions

Penny Farthing Museum

The Penny Farthing Museum has been incorporated into a coffee-house with over 30 original penny farthings on display. A model train circles the restaurant, all set in a beautiful knutsford courtyard. The Penny Farthing Museum is a very popular venue and can get extremely busy.

Knutsford’s Penny Farthing Museum presents an intriguing collection from days gone by. Through 40 antique Penny Farthings guests may be taken back in history: from the earliest of wooden models through to the largest and most advanced Penny Farthing of all, straight out of the 1890’s.

These unique models are complemented by a fascinating collection of ‘Ordinaries’ (as Penny Farthings were originally known) containing some of the most collectable and valuable machines still in existence, including some of the rarest early wooden machines and children’s models. Local attractions.

Tabley House and Collections

Tabley House was built by the architect John Carr of York for Sir Peter Byrne Leicester in 1767. The Leicesters lived at Tabley from the 14th Century, first in the Old Hall on a moated island. and later in the fine house as it stands today.

St Peter’s Chapel, originally built on the island in 1678, was moved in 1927 and re-erected on its present site which is adjacent to the house. The Chapel and the ante-chapel, which now operates as a Tea Room during the open season, have impressive stained glass, (one window designed by Burne Jones) and a grand fireplace originally installed in the Old Hall in 1619.

The Collection is housed in the principal state rooms of the fine, grade 1 Palladian mansion. It contains some of the finest British paintings of the 18th and 19th Century. Paintings by Turner, Lawrence and others, seen in the rooms for which they were painted for.

Also included in the Collection is some fine furniture from cabinet makers Chippendale and Gillow. You will also find some fascinating family history of the Leicesters.

Tatton Park

Tatton Park Centre

Address:

Telephone: Website: Email: Facebook:Twitter:

Opening Times:

Tatton Park

Located in 1,000 acres of the most beautiful deer park, the former Egerton family home is open for you to explore. You’re welcome to uncover centuries of history at the Medieval Old Hall and witness life above and below stairs in the Mansion. Wander at leisure through huge and glorious gardens or take the kids to meet very special rare breed animals at the working Farm.

From walks to wedding shows, car shows to Canalettos, there is something to suit every passion at Tatton Park. Local attractions include:

For nearly 400 years the estate was the property of the Egerton family until it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958. Today it is financed and maintained by Cheshire East Council. Local attractions.